Aces Interview: Seattle Works' Tara Smith Gets SWANKy

Fall brings a lot of fun reasons to dress up, and here in Seattle we have no shortage of fundraiser galas. One of my favorites is Seattle Works' SWANK, coming up on Saturday, October 12th. Seattle Works has worked tirelessly to foster a lifetime commitment to community involvement in Seattle's young adults through innovative volunteer activities and educational opportunities. I first learned about Seattle Works back in my chamber of commerce events director days, and these days the organization is led by Tara Smith. Tara and her board members have created a whole palette of different ways you can give back to your community - from board training, one-off or ongoing group and individual volunteer opportunities, and special community events. SWANK is the one time Seattle Works volunteers and fans can get fancy and raise money to keep these programs in business.

I asked Tara to share a little more about herself, life at the helm of Seattle Works and about SWANK. Read on & see details on SWANK below:

Seattle Works-Tara Smith

What's on your playlist right now?

This is a little embarrassing*, but I will confess to having spent the past few weeks totally rocking out to the new 103.7 radio station that replaced The Mountain. That crazy lady in her car at the stoplight belting out Leona Lewis? That might be me. *Don't be embarrassed. That new radio station is AWESOME.

Describe your style.

My everyday style is casual and approachable, but put together. I go for simple, classic looks and then be sure I’m incorporating in color or print to keep things interesting.

My style at Swank is very intentional. Being up on that stage and asking people to support us, I need to visually embody the Seattle Works brand: fresh, contemporary and vibrant. At the same time, asking people to provide their financial support is a serious business. I love the people who look fun and sexy at Swank! But that can’t be me. My look is about being professional and credible, without going a traditionally conservative route.

Seattle Works SWANK

Who inspires you?

The people who volunteer with Seattle Works. I get the privilege of being in an environment where I’m inspired every single day. From board members who strategize on how to take our game to the next level to Project Coordinators and Team Captains out there making it easy for people to jump in and make a difference in our community, I see caring, smarts and passion in action on a continuous basis.

Seattle Works

What are you reading?

I’m digging into a series of articles on board governance and adaptive leadership. They’re relevant to the leadership training courses Seattle Works offers, and they also are helping me think about how to be a better partner to our board of directors in my professional role and how I can be a better board member in my personal life as a volunteer.

Seattle Works-Tara Smith

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

Next year is Seattle Works 25th Anniversary! I’m excited for the opportunity this milestone brings to gather and share stories, and to reconnect with our volunteers and supporters from the past quarter century.

Seattle Works Swank 2013

Thank you Tara! Find out more about Tara at SeattleWorks.org. Details and tickets for SWANK 2013 here.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Aces Interview: Piper Gore, Fashion Designer

Ah, the beauty of social media. Last week, a mutual friend (Hey Kristy!) introduced Piper Gore and I over email. I took one look at her site and fell in love with her line. As I evolve my style and put some hard definition on it, I can't deny that comfort is near the top of my list when I'm looking for the next addition to my closet. It's inherently West Coast, I think, and that's why Piper's collection struck me so. I asked if she'd bring Fresh Jess & my readers into her world for a little bit, and once again it's such a beautiful treat to see what makes one's spirit tick.

Piper Gore

Also, FRENCHIE!

What's on your playlist right now?

I'm all over the place with music - but it is almost always on. Sometimes I actually manage to get slightly annoyed when I have to turn it down for a conversation in the middle of a really good song, even though I can just press pause! I get really lost in my music so it is a rude awakening when I have to come back from it I suppose ;)

To name a few artists on my playlist right now:

• Rolling Stones

• Jimmy Cliff

• AWOLNATION

• MS MR

• Eric Lindell

• Luke Bryan

• Kid Rock

• The Dirty Gov'nahs

• Etta James

• Wyclef

• Autre ne Veut

• Sublime

• Jay-Z

• David Bowie

• Aerosmith

• Pixies

• The Cure

• Bill Withers

• Truth & Salvage

• Moby

• Skid Row

• ...and it goes on & on!

Piper Gore

Describe your style.

Easy. Mellow. Pulled together but not too seriously.

Who inspires you?

My friends each in their own way. I'm a girl's girl and I am so lucky to have such an incredible and inspiring group of girls around me. Each is so amazing in their own right.

Piper Gore

What are you reading?

About 10 books at the moment. I love to read but every once in awhile, I go through phases where there is so much on my mind that I can't finish reading books. I keep starting new ones. It's really annoying! I am reading:

• Shantaram

• A Moveable Feast (for the millionth time)

• Fall of Giants

• Life by Keith Richards

• The Art of the Steal (I love crime books - strange...)

• And more but I can't recall all the titles! Not a good sign.

Piper Gore

What are you most excited about in the coming months? 

Everything - all the possibilities. I feel like my world has just opened up and the longer I hang in there, the more people I meet and the more opportunities come about. I have no idea what's coming down the pipeline but I have hopes for what lies ahead and I'm working very hard to make that my reality. You never know - which I suppose is why it is so damn exciting.

Thank you Piper! Find her at PiperGore.com.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Shoot, Style & Share With PowerCam (Sponsored)

With a myriad of photo apps out there, it's hard to narrow down which ones are right for you. I know I run most of my photos through at least two apps before they even make it to Instagram! If you're looking for one that's a serious bang for your (one) buck, take a look at PowerCam.

The team at WonderShare first asked me to review the PowerCam app early last year (that review's here.) Since then, there have been a ton of improvements and additions to its effects and features menu. Now there are over 100 different filters, backgrounds, standard and straight fancy camera effects you can do - while taking photos and video in real time. "Damn son, where'd ya find this?!?"

PowerCam app by WonderShare

I played around with PowerCam using some of my favorite Spike photos. Here are some of my favorite features of the app:

First of all, I love that you can do so much with the effects and filters while you're taking photo or video. Tilt-shift, filtering, anti-shake, color splash and panorama are just a few of the camera effect options (in addition to traditional flash, zoom, ISO, grid focus, etc.) and the countless many filters you can choose from.

PowerCam app by WonderShare

Tilt shift / Holiday filter / Color splash

There are a lot of subtle filter, but have fun with some of the crazy ones too!

PowerCam app by WonderShare

Chocolate color filter / Crop / Explosion artsy filter

I love that you can copy your PowerCam photos to your computer or tablet. The app gives you an ISP to link to via URL for that.

PowerCam app by WonderShare

At last, there's a collage feature native within a filter/effects app! PowerCam has collage templates, or you can create one freehand. The app supplies you with photo resize options, editing within the collage, and decorative border patterns and other options to truly make each collage your own.

PowerCam app by WonderShare

This version of the PowerCam app seems to be a lot more organized with its filters menu. Make sure to get cozy and look around - there's a filter here for every taste!

PowerCam app by WonderShare

Old Photo classic filter / Frosty Beauty effect / Splash funny filter

Once you've got a few photos and collages ready, you can upload multiple files to your favorite social network, including: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Tumblr & good ol' email sharing.

Find PowerCam in the App Store for iPhone and iPad, and Google Play for Android.

Fresh Eats: The Barrymore Las Vegas

My last night in Vegas for WWDMAGIC was capped with the most amazing dinner at a place I definitely wouldn't have found on my own. One of the best parts of traveling is finding places to eat and things to do that are off the beaten path. I don't normally take the tourist route (landmarks, famous restaurants, etc.) when I'm traveling, especially while I'm traveling for business. One of my new blogger friends, Emily, ended up meeting one of the owners of The Barrymore at WWDMAGIC - who then invited us to come and enjoy dinner there on our last night in town.

The Barrymore Las Vegas

Image via Chanelle of  The Penelope Times

The Barrymore Las Vegas

Image via Chanelle of  The Penelope Times

The Barrymore Las Vegas

The Barrymore Las Vegas

The Barrymore is the latest joint from award-winning chef, Anthony Meidenbauer, and Billy Richardson, owner of Block 16 and brainchild behind some of Las Vegas's most popular nightclubs and lounges. Adding a contemporary twist to retro Vegas, Barrymore servers up American Classic cuisine that's both approachable and unpretentious. We had an incredible meal that mixed things that are familiar to most (steak, mac & cheese) with fun, unexpected pairings (gnocchi, squid ink risotto.)

The Barrymore Las Vegas

Some bread & veggies to start off. Softest, yummiest French bread I've had in awhile! Special shoutout to the pretzel bread which was also muy delicioso.

The Barrymore Las Vegas

A few appetizers to whet the palette. Clockwise from top left: Roasted artichoke w/greens, salsa verde & parmesan; Octopus ála Greque (roasted w/cous cous, olives, capers & lemon-oregano vinaigrette); Semolina gnocchi (w/summer squash blossoms, fava beans, goat cheese ricotta & shaved summer truffles) & Lobster mac & cheese

The Barrymore Las Vegas

The main courses: Pan Roasted ‘Jidori’ Free Range Chicken w/sweet corn grits, roasted chanterelles and natural jus; side of creamed corn & lobster; Diver Scallops (pan-seared w/squid ink risotto, tomato sugo & crispy fried artichokes) & filet mignon.

The Barrymore Las Vegas

OMG dessert. Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée w/peach compote, apricot honey sorbet & candied pistachios; Warm Chocolate Cake w/praline fudge sauce, hazelnut brittle & milk chocolate sorbet; Amaretto Cheesecake Mousse w/biscotti crust, poached cherries & lemon olive oil sorbet and Strawberry Shortcake Coupe w/sweet biscuit, fresh strawberries, orange curd & chantilly

The Barrymore Las Vegas

Image via Chanelle of  The Penelope Times

The Barrymore Las Vegas

Image via Chanelle of  The Penelope Times

The Barrymore Las Vegas

The cozy 1,400-square-foot restaurant only seats 50, and boasts a wine list featuring 50 selections under $50. Hella 50! It's not too far from the Las Vegas Convention Center, either: located at 99 Convention Center Drive, 89109 between Las Vegas Boulevard and the LVCC.

Check it out for yourself next time you're in Vegas! BarrymoreLV.com.

Read all my posts from WWDMAGIC here.

Fresh Style: Coast to Coastal

As I write this blog post, I'm home after a breathtakingly beautiful wedding of my dear friend and Fresh Jess brand director, Byron Gronseth. It was a night surrounded by a few of my favorite souls, and one invitee - and integral part of the Fresh Jess team - photographer Sarah Lovrien was at home accepting an award for her work. Witnessing the celebrations of the labors of two of my favorite people - labors of love and hard work - last night have left me thinking about what this is all about. This life of friendships and success on our own terms. 

I feel very strongly about keeping only the people who uplift you in your life, and I also firmly believe in manifest destiny. We attract people through the energy we put out there. People who live a life of purpose, with goals and the will to focus on those goals, and with a sense of giving back however they can are the ones who truly catch my eye. Sarah Lovrien might make me look fly, but her passion, fire and commitment to her craft and to herself - challenge a better version of herself every day - inspire me and others in ways she might not be aware of. As she takes the time to honor her recognition from CreativeLIVE, I want to let her know that she inspires me to be a better version of myself too. Through her lens, I have seen myself in ways I'd never really imagined, and she's enabled me to literally take my outfit photos and editorial visions for Fresh Jess to another level. Thank you!

One more note: Coastal is among my favorite boutiques in Seattle, and one I'm proud to have shopped and supported probably its entire existence. I am a big fan of surf and skate brands like Roxy/Quiksilver, Volcom, Billabong, Gentle Fawn and Seattle-based Casual Industrees, and Coastal pretty much corners the boutique market for brands like that here in Seattle. Check them out on Alki!

Vintage Levi's denim jacket (similar) / Anthropologie flower print bustier / Black vegan leather asymmetrical skirt via Poshmark / Zara strappy heels / Necklace gifted from my aunt, found in the Philippines! / Nike FuelBand cuz I gotta stay fit

Aces Interview: Jasmin of Vintage Vandalizm

My next Ace is a fellow blogger who's inspired me with her laser-like focus on crafting a personal style that's all retro but decidedly refreshing and different. I write once a week for the Independent Fashion Bloggers and thus pay a lot of attention to the fashion blogging landscape, and I can say with 10000% confidence that Jasmin Rodriguez's Vintage Vandalizm is one-of-a-kind. I had the good fortune to meet Jasmin in person at IFBcon, where I spotted her while speaking on a panel, and had to run up and tell her what a big fan I was of her blog. I was surprised by how humble and shy she was in real life! She's one of my favorite people to see whenever I'm in NYC.

She's got legions of fans all over the world just like me - and also critics, haters and copycats. Some try to emulate, others straight up duplicate - but none of Jasmin's imitators come close to her clear and unabashed love for rockabilly and other fine vintage eras. She lives and breathes the lifestyle as much as the modern world will allow. This is why she's no trendy throwback (what up Katy Perry) - Vintage Vandalizm is the real rockabilly deal. Her commitment to this life & style is what makes her one of my favorite bloggers on the interwebz.

Vintage Vandalizm-Jasmin Rodriguez

What's on your playlist right now?

• Lots of Lana Del Rey

• Pervov Stelar

• The Great Gatsby Soundtrack

• The Weeknd

• Niki and the Dove

• Frank Sinatra

• Ella Fitzgerald

• and some rockabilly compilations.

Describe your style.

I'd like to think of it as a marriage of the timeless beauty of vintage & the gritty rawness of my vandalized city, NYC.

Vintage Vandalizm-Jasmin Rodriguez

Who inspires you?

I am deeply inspired by the classic hollywood actress' of the 40s, 50s, and 60s like:

• Debra Paget

• Ivonne De Carlo

• Diana Dors

• Grace Kelly

• Eartha Kitt

• and of course Elizabeth Taylor.

What are you reading?

Right now I am enjoying listening to many inspiring TED Talks like my recent favorite by Shawn Achor, who says that we have to reverse our perspectives on success. He says that we are taught that "We must be successful to be happy;" but in fact..the happier and more positive we are, the more successful we will be :).

Vintage Vandalizm-Jasmin Rodriguez

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

I am working on a few projects to be finished by next year but you will have to stay tuned to find out ;). I am also excited to be attending Lingerie Fashion week and NY fashion week before my big move to Vegas. I am pursuing my dreams and though it is quite scary to leave a place I called home for 26 years, I am ready for the big change ahead of me.

Thank you!

Find Jasmin at VintageVandalizm.com.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Fresh Style: Women in Business w/Six Twenty

Happy National Women in Business Day! Celebrating days like this might seem trivial to some, but when women are still making less and underrepresented across the board compared to our male counterparts, there's still a lot of work to do. I am proud to be a business owner who also happens to be female (and a 'minority'), and I absolutely respect and treasure my lady peers and inspirations out there.

I'm partnering today with Six Twenty, founded by Angeli Tarsadia Reddy. Angeli started the company with the mission to create the highest quality clothing at ridiculously good prices, refining the lengthy process that often leads to higher pricing behind the amazing basics we all wear to death. By existing solely online, Six Twenty eliminates the traditional retail markup and brings you their own designer quality essentials from the factory straight to your doorstep.

six twenty_fresh jess

six twenty_fresh jess

I'm honored to be among 30 women entrepreneurs Six Twenty is celebrating today! You can follow all of us & how we styled our Six Twenty basics using the hashtags #BWD and #SHOWUSBASIC.

One piece of advice I've found so critical throughout my time as a business owner?

"Keep going. Past the critics, past your limits. When you are disillusioned or want to quit, that's when your will and passion helps you persist."

Zara Black Strappy Heels

Six Twenty black tank_Fresh Jess

Six Twenty Essential Tank in black / American Eagle boyfriend jeans via Poshmark / Zara black strappy heels / Tobi sunglasses (similar) / Christys' black wool hat

FJ @WWDMAGIC: Style Diary

WWDMAGIC exists for the sole purpose of getting fashion into the hands of style mavens all around the world. It's only fair, then, to give you a recap of my outfits during my week in Vegas!

Fashion events are always fun, because the opportunity is ripe (and it's encouraged) to show off your personal style. I loved seeing all the MAGIC bloggers come together, because we all had very distinct tastes and ways in which we'd put an outfit together. Some trendy, others classic, vintage, girly or practical (we were logging in miles on those show floors after all.) I'd packed mostly basics in black, white, grey and denim that I knew would pair well with whatever gifted items were waiting for me. I'd inadvertently steered towards more of a tomboy look (was just thinking practical but stylish!) Somehow, it all came together.

L: Jack by B.B. Dakota leather vest (on sale!); lululemon 'Free to Be' bra ; Premonition Designs asymmetrical skirt, ShoeMint 'Gina' wedges

C: Vans hi-lo dress (similar); red creeper booties c/o TUK Shoes

R: White hi-lo tee (similar); Zara culotte skort; Zara city bag (new version); Vans boat shoes

I adore my affirmation bracelets c/o BCBGeneration! Thank you!

Lace bustier via Poshmark (similar); white Zara tank; Parker faux leather track pants (on sale!); Lace overlay sweatshirt c/o Dolly & Molly; Nike Dunk Hi wedges

(Photos via Kelsi Smith)

Center: BCBGeneration spring '14 leather cutout & tulle dress

R:BCBGeneration "I'm Serious" sweater

Army Brat tie-dye sweatshirt c/o Young, Wild & Serene; Arielle crossbody bag in dusty plum c/o Rabeanco; BCBGMaxAzria leather shorts; Dolce Vita boots via Poshmark; old necklace

And just so you know what my typical airport uniform looks like :)

Black Zara tank & American Eagle boyfriend jeans via Poshmark

Read all my posts from WWDMAGIC here.

Fresh Style: Endless Summer (Dope) by Sarah Lovrien

Fall may be coming soon or whatever, but we're still enjoying 80-degree weather here in Seattle so I'm gonna go ahead and post these long-overdue shots from my early summer shoot with Sarah Lovrien. She's the best. Seriously.

I felt so much more comfortable in front of the camera this time compared to my 30 Fresh shoot. This time around, I chose four outfits that represented what I wore a lot this summer. Lots of boyfriend fit and tomboy feel, lots of unabashed, totally owned sexiness. I can't wait for you to see the rest! For this particular sequence, Sarah played with black & white treatments to add even more depth to the photos. I couldn't decide which ones I liked more, so I mixed up a few of each!

Keeping true to holding it down for my city, the thought process behind these shoots always include careful consideration for the perfect location. In the summertime that clearly is Alki. I personally am a big fan of Alki beach all year 'round, but the beach just comes alive during the summer. No matter what time of year, you're guaranteed to catch an amazing landscape of sky, land and ferries juxtaposed against the moody waters. 

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Stampd L.A. "Dope" bodysuit / American Eagle boyfriend fit jeans via Poshmark / Shoemint "Gina" wedges / various baubles

All photos credit Sarah Lovrien.

FJ @WWDMAGIC: Fresh Finds

WWDMAGIC is like one giant closet full of amazing gems, and us bloggers had a ball of a time trying on our fave finds and getting to know some of the designers and faces behind the showcasing brands. It was so hard to pare down my personal favorites, and some I didn't even get photos of! Nevertheless, here are some of the freshest finds (in my eyes) on this season's WWDMAGIC show floor:

1) Dakota Collective by B.B. Dakota: I'm already a big fan of Jack and the general B.B. Dakota collections, so when I got a look at the denim-inspired spring collection for Dakota Collective, I was enamored. This top though! I'm a big fan of basics, and Dakota Collective had a stellar lineup of leather jackets, denim, leggings and basic tees in shapes both classic and re-defined for the modern chick.

Dakota Collective_WWDMAGIC

2) Trashy Diva: I mean, look at this setup right here. What's not to love about Trashy Diva? They live and breathe retro through their timeless dresses and separates. Everything I saw in the booth was so lady-like yet so sexy at the same time; I especially fell in love with the French Quarter print a-line full skirt. Mallory, a.k.a. Miss Malaprop and team were total sweethearts and all smiles throughout the show.

Trashy Diva_WWDMAGIC

3) JOA - A clear favorite among the WWDMAGIC blogger team, JOA had all separates in every trend, fabric and style you could imagine. I saw a lot of matching textured pieces across the show floor, but this one incorporated the nude/neon dichotomy perfectly.

JOA_WWDMAGIC

4) Flying Tomato gets props for its insanely beautiful booth alone. Well, that and its abundance of ethereal, summery maxi dresses.

5) Free People is absolutely owning that boho niche, and these upcoming seasons they've got some printed jumpsuits and fitted overalls to add to your (my) wardrobe.

Free People_WWDMAGIC

6) LUSH Clothing: I'm already a big fan of Lush but I had to include this incredible nude leather skirt with the intricate pattern stitch detail. There's a lot of the asymmetrical leather skirt trend going on this fall; with black tights and a pair of over-the-knee boots, this skirt could be the star of the show. Here's a similar one in black & white laser cut print.

Lush Clothing_WWDMAGIC

7) Darling: I will never tire of these feminine dress shapes, especially with this neckline and shoulder cut. I loved Darling's booth filled with these sweet dresses and separates, along with fun accessories and trinkets.

darling clothes_WWDMAGIC

8) C. Luce: While I am not normally one for something so girly, I couldn't walk past this brocade/feather number without doing a double take. The feather skirt with black fringe is just so perfect agains the leaf brocade print, and again I love that neckline.

c. luce_WWDMAGIC

9) BCBGeneration: If the 90s are making a comeback this upcoming season, then BCBGeneration is leading the charge. The BCBGeneration booth was dripping with plaid and other grungy 90s-ness alongside new classic pieces like the leather cut-out dress with pink tulle bottom (like the one I'm modeling in the second pic!) They also had the SkyBox decked out like a 90s teenage girl's bedroom, complete with a daybed, inflatable furniture, Date Line phone, Clueless quotes adorning the walls and in the VHS. The bloggers and other booth guests could hang up in the SkyBox and enjoy nail wrap treatments, blowouts, help ourselves to the candy bar and get affirmation bracelets made. So rad!

bcbgeneration_wwdmagic

10) The indies: Bri Seeley & Courtney Allegra:

There's something special about watching an independent designer realize their dreams. It was such a treat to spend some time with Seattle native Bri Seeley and meet Courtney Allegra, while perusing some of their latest collections. Two ladies with totally different styles but equally bad ass. Watch out for them!

bri seeley_Magic market week

courtney allegra_pool tradeshow

Read all my posts from WWDMAGIC here.

Beast Mode! Marshawn Lynch x Target Tees In Stores Now

While we're savoring every last bit of summer, it's clear to see the signs of fall creeping into the air. Leaves changing, clouds hanging out a bit lower & longer, and my personal favorite - NFL football in full swing! Seahawks fans, check out your nearest Puget Sound area Target for an exclusive Beast Mode tee, designed by the Skittles monsta himself!

Marshawn Lynch for Target Pro Merch

Marshawn Lynch for Target Pro Merch

The Pro Merch™ exclusive for Target Marshawn Lynch tees retail for $19.99. There are two different designs each for men & women, and you can cop yours through December (and possibly through the playoffs!) - that is, if they don't sell out before you can get to one.

“For me, it’s all about ‘Beastmode,’ and collaborating with Target has given me the opportunity to bring my hard-nosed, in-your-face playing style, plus my love for the Seattle fans into this new collection.”

Target’s Pro Merch™ exclusive collection partners the retail giant with various NFL players, reflecting their signature styles, distinct personalities, favorite pop culture elements and notable quips, keeping their fans in mind throughout.

Marshawn Lynch for Target_Beast Mode women's tee

GO HAWKS!

FJ @WWDMAGIC: The Haul

Everybody loves a sweet swag bag, right? Well, no fashion blogger project would be right without goodies to keep us looking, smelling and feeling fresh. WWDMAGIC was no exception, and boy did they treat us right!

Fresh Jess_WWDMAGIC_The Haul

I was so excited to see what was in my pile of gifted goodies from a few very kind WWDMAGIC vendors. It truly was like Christmas morning in the blogger team war room over at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Quiet concentration on opening and unwrapping led to some fabulous surprises. I tried my best to get a photo of everything in one shot!

WWDMAGIC_Fresh Jess_The Haul

The TwoPointOh team also stocked us with some amazing beauty products. Those L.A. Fresh makeup remover and cleanser wipes came in so clutch after a long day or night out of show floor and parties. I've been wearing the Jouer matte base, 'YES to Carrots' lip balm, Too Faced 'Better Than Sex' mascara & Flower Beauty 'Chocolate Lily' lipstick almost every day since MAGIC Market Week ended!

WWDMAGIC_Fresh Jess_The Haul

Special thanks to all the kind vendors for their lovely goodies!

• BCBGeneration "I'm Serious" sweater
• Young, Wild & Serene Army Brat tie-dye sweatshirt
• Lush Clothing black/white striped dress & bag
• TUK Footwear red platform creepers
• Bettie Page black/black 'Gilda' heels
• Imoshion mint hobo handbag
• Lolly studded tee, logo tee & book
• YMI bootcut jeans
• HOBO International mini-wristlet
• Ivanka Trump grey jumbo classic handbag
• Dolly & Molly bag & lace overlay sweatshirt
• Ipanema black 'Maya' sandals
• Kixies over-the-knee socks
• BooTights boot socks
• Peek-a-Boot socks
• Kreepsville 666 "Vampira" tee

Stay tuned for more of my FJ @ WWDMAGIC coverage! Outfit diary, new discoveries, favorite picks, oh my!

Summer Style Recap w/Emilee Goo

In the season of endless peaches and cherries comes opportune moments to dress for those hot summer days. Every morning is a different challenge to dress depending on my mood. Sometimes I'm feeling preppy with a pop of pastel and other times I feel like mixing and matching my prints. Some may say it's a fashion faux pax to mix florals with stripes or even stripes and animal prints, but I like to take advantage of a mix not usually taken. Usually, I pick one piece of clothing i want to wear for that day and choose the other pieces along the way to somehow match in a somewhat functional outfit for either work or play.

Though, some Summer days in San Francisco, my hometown aren't the most sunniest of days, there are ways to bring a little bit of brightness by adding a pop of color. For example, I paired an orange Splendid tank with my go-to army green/leather sleeved Zara jacket and some black yoga pants to the recent music festival in SF, Outside Lands.

And lastly, of course you need some funky shades to protect from the sun rays. I found a stellar steal on these sunnies at free people.

Here

is another pair currently online.

Happy Summer Days my friends!

-------

Emilee Goo is an aspiring creator and adventurer living in Seattle, WA. She's currently a senior at the University of Washington double-majoring in communications and interdisciplinary visual arts. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but is Seattle-grown and Hawaiian at heart. She has had past experience working with Nectar Communications, State Farm Insurance, TEDxUofW, UW PRSSA and BSSP. She is a fashion enthusiast thriving on travel, food, culture, art and photography. She loves to blog ever since she discovered blogging with a friend during her high school years, and is now introduced to a whole new world filled with creative people. She loves sharing her interests over at her own blog, Life of Goobers.

Find Emilee on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

Aces Interview: Emma McIlroy of Wildfang

These Aces interviews are every bit as fun for me as I hope they are for you. The essence of them lie in the fact that I want to share these incredible people I've come across with you - so how could it not be a blast every time? Emma McIlroy of Wildfang (German for 'tomboy') closed out the Create + Cultivate Portland conference I attended last month with a keynote talk outlining how she and her team have created a whole community for the tomboy lifestyle on the site and beyond. I was riveted.

It seemed like there was a site or blog for literally every style known to mind, yet I couldn't think of anything quite like Wildfang. I was fascinated by how Emma, co-founder Julia & team took the marketing, branding & hustling skills they'd honed at Nike and spun it into an e-commerce site that attracted a healthy first round of funding and thousands of loyalists in a matter of months. All of this amazingness just three hours south in Portland! I asked Emma to share a little about herself and about Wildfang with all of you fine Fresh Jess readers. Enjoy!

Tell us about Wildfang.

We think tomboy is much more than just a style. It’s also an attitude. It’s about being confident, strong and paving your own way. While also being cheeky and knowing how to have fun. We don’t think our girl has ever been allowed to be herself and be her best. She's been restricted and held back for years. She hasn’t had access to the clothes and tools and sources of inspiration to allow her to be who she wants to be. That’s where Wildfang comes in.

We will free her. We will fuel her.

This isn't a business for Jules and I - it's a labor of love. We are the consumer. We share her frustrations. We wanted to do it, so that it was done right.

What inspired you to create Wildfang?

I remember the first time we had the idea. We were in the men’s department at a well-known store and I was looking at a men’s graphic tee which had a barely clad Kate Moss on the front. Jules was staring at a men’s blazer with patches on the elbows. I remember her looking at me and saying “Why don’t they make this shit for us?” And I couldn't answer her. We thought about it a lot, did a ton of consumer research and fast forward three years later - here we are. Launching Wildfang.

What are you most proud of about Wildfang so far?

I'm proud of our team. In five months we've built an online store, an offline store, a product collection and attracted the attention of thousands of young women as well as some awesome media. It's been amazing to watch girls get excited about our brand and feel like they belong at Wildfang. The support we've received has been overwhelming.

What's on your playlist right now?

• Ms Mr

• Savages

• The new David Bowie album

• and honestly, there's probably some Rolling Stones on there too

Describe your style.

My style is a lot like what you'd expect if you let Patti Smith lose in Keith Richards wardrobe.

Who inspires you?

People who take risks and are laser focused on their consumer. They don't follow the status quo and they do what feels right. Richard Branson is a hero for me.

What are you reading?

I'm currently addicted to Orange is the New Black, but I think everyone is. I'm also reading Triumph of the City. Awesome book.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

I'm psyched about launching our Wildfang product collection. I'm so excited to see Wildfangs everywhere proudly rocking our gear.

Thanks Emma for the interview, and thank you Wildfang for being so fucking awesome!

Head over to the site and show 'em your Wildfang!

August Fresh: A Recap

It's been a ridiculous August and I have a severe lack of blog posts to show for it. I'm sorry my dear readers! As I'm sitting here watching Justin Timberlake and *NSYNC light up the MTV Video Music Awards, I thought it'd be fun to share some photos of what I've been up to this month. Tomorrow I'll back with the first of some seriously amazing interviews, outfit shots and recaps of my time as a WWDMAGIC Official Blogger :)

Most of my time has been devoted to LUNA & CLIF Kid Bar. It's our busiest couple of months in the year, but winding down now. I've been having such a blast at all of our events but I'm excited to have a little quiet time to blog in the coming weeks.

I'm stoked to be on the team bringing Slideluck to life this year in Seattle! Part potluck, part art extravaganza. Coming in November to Pioneer Square! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates leading up to the event.

Still getting my workouts & superfood diet on. Been traveling a lot so it hasn't been as consistent, but I refuse to give up on it completely. Never that.

Thoroughly enjoying summer but looking forward to fall, because that means SEAHAWKS FOOTBALL! Caught the last day of training camp a couple of weeks ago. Thanks Bing for having me!

My family is everything to me, and now we will have one more to add to the mix (officially!) Congrats to my cousin Erick and his beautiful longtime girlfriend Ashley on their engagement. 

Super honored to be included in "The Voices of Fashion" piece in 425 Magazine this month! Read the article here.

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram then you know my last week was spent in Vegas covering WWDMAGIC. Such a life-changing experience. I'm still trying to comprehend all the wonderful things that happened there, and you'll see a few posts going up in the next few weeks detailing them!

Go Places By Yourself (& More Lessons Learned from Create + Cultivate PDX)

Two weeks ago I rolled down to Portland for Create + Cultivate. As a regular attendee of fashion, tech, and blogger conferences, C+C was such a breath of fresh air from what I'd gotten used to. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to last all day (starting at 9:00a.m. and going well past 10:00p.m.) but I truly enjoyed and savored every moment. It's days like these where I find myself learning so much - not just about new things, but about myself. Little shifts in perspective, if you will. I left C+C with a lot to ponder. Here's a snippet of lessons learned in my reflections (along with my photo diary):

The perfect setting on a perfect day

Create + Cultivate Portland

Create + Cultivate Portland

Go places by yourself.

Like a lot of events, I chose to attend this one alone. It used to be scary (sometimes it still is), but I've always found that I try harder to start conversations and meet other people than when I have a networking buddy. Don't get me wrong - it's always nice to have a friend and familiar face with you, and a lot of people just don't go to things unless they have a +1. I got in the habit of going to events alone back when I'd attend them as part of my Chamber of Commerce job. I've always looked at it as 'part of the job.' Going places alone gets you out of your comfort zone and puts you in an environment that's ripe with new ideas and people. Try it sometime, whether it's an event you've always wanted to attend like I did, or just a new coffee shop or park. Try having a meal or going to a movie by yourself. 

I couldn't fit into this vintage skirt last year so I thought it merited a gratuitous selfie. 

Zara tank & heels; vintage skirt & bag; Nike FuelBand + various vintage bracelets; wooden polka-dot ring gifted from Anisa in Africa

Fresh Jess Create + Cultivate Portland

Alright. There was one familiar face. Thanks Jaclyn for a fabulous day!

Create + Cultivate Portland

Get outside of your own bubble.

When you go places alone, you are bound to get out of your own bubble. I have never considered myself a "creative" type, perhaps because I had a pre-conceived notion that 'creatives' had to be, look and act a certain way. If you would've told me I'd be right at home and really (REALLY) enjoying getting my hands dirty in a crafty way, I would've asked you if you maybe saw someone else who looked like me. Yet here I was, thoroughly enjoying making flower crowns with Riley of Erba Floral Studio; constructing my own earrings with Betsy + Iya and mixing the perfect summer farm-to-glass cocktail with Rachel of Art in the Age. 

Our team even won Best Drink (a Thai-inspired, bell pepper rinsed sage spirit concoction) and I won Best Cocktail Name (for our other drink, the Blackberry Hussy!)

Create + Cultivate Portland

Makin' earrings with Betsy + Iya

Create + Cultivate Portland

Tahitian princess vibes with my DIY flower crown taught by Erba Floral Studio

Create + Cultivate Portland

Talk to everyone.

This is one thing I continue to work on. It's one thing to work up the courage to go to an event like this alone. It's a whole 'nother thing to come completely out of your shell. I still get shy, but do my best to force the fear away and just strike up some conversation - with my table mates, sponsors, speakers, vendors, etc. I like to look at it as getting my part out of the investment - I took the time, energy and money to be here, so I better make the most out of it!

Dang Jess look at all these new people to talk to!

Create + Cultivate Portland

Katie and I caught intensely focusing on our photo art. We were talking, promise.

Create + Cultivate Portland

Everyone is inspiring.

The beauty of trying to talk to everyone is that each person presents an opportunity for you to be inspired. About humanity. About challenging yourself to do better. About your passions. About life. Some people can be like inspiration espresso shots, jolting you into a new frame of mind. For Create + Cultivate, the No Subject L.A. team brought in a few female powerhouses to do just that. How to look at things differently. 

I loved hearing from everyone, but Jeanine Pesce of Range and the ladies Emma and Tara of Wildfang especially struck me. Jeanine's perspective on trend forecasting and personal branding stems from a background I feel is very similar to mine - heavy in fashion and marketing, but with a yearning to bring more of her real passions (sports and the outdoors) into her career. Emma's tenacity, wit and fire has helped make her e-commerce site, Wildfang, a true community for tomboy lifestyle. She not only filled a business niche that's hugely missed by the rest of the industry, but she's managed to make thousands of girls feel like they have a team that's always behind them. 

Clockwise from top left: Jeanine Pesce of Range and Jasmine Takanikos; Melissa & Jessica of Stay Forever Photography; Rachel of Art in the Age; Emma and Tara of Wildfang.

Create + Cultivate Portland

Liz, founder of Sseko Designs, has a moving story of how she's helping women in Uganda attend college through her products. Everything on the right came home with me :)

Create + Cultivate Portland

Be a sponge.

I stole this from Nike's list of Maxims - look them up because they're solid statements to live by and have stuck with me long after my time working there. Anywho, absorb everything. Remember how the colors, smells, vibes, and smiles make you feel. Take those knowledge and creative bombs that were dropped on you all day and give yourself the time and space to truly reflect on them. This is what I told myself as C+C was winding down. All in all, a fun day that will leave its mark on me long after those sensory memories fade.

Create + Cultivate Portland

Create + Cultivate Portland

Special thanks to the No Subject team for a great day!

Aces Interview: Madeline Moy

Everyone I interview on Fresh Jess influences me in some way, doing inspiring things in their specific field of work and/or play. This week's Aces interview is someone I've followed on Twitter for many years but just recently have had the honor of knowing personally.

Madeline Moy and I did some project work together last year and I loved getting to know a fellow Filipina-American in the social media industry. I really admire commitment to her family while still doing great, fulfilling work and being active in the local social media community. She's also an adventurous cook who loves exploring ways to approach recipes a bit differently - she's the first Filipina I know to dive into healthy versions of classic recipes like adobo, with delicious success! You can follow her food adventures on Edible Joy.

Madeline Moy

What's on your playlist right now?

• “Treasure” by Bruno Mars

• “Mirror” Justin Timberlake

• “White Walls” Macklemore

• “Unaware” by Allen Stone

and lots of Postal Service and NKOTB since I just saw both acts in concert.

I’m an NPR nerd so I listen to a lot of podcasts of programs like “Fresh Air,” “The Splendid Table,” “Selected Shorts” and “Snap Judgment.”

Describe your style.

I like classic shapes, clean lines and bright pops of color.

Madeline Moy

Who inspires you?

My husband, Baron, is a constant source of inspiration. He always puts family first, takes care of everyone around him and is incredibly patient. And he’s a great cook! I wish I could cook like him. I always need a recipe, but he can take whatever is in the fridge and make something amazing.

What are you reading?

I’m currently reading A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain. I love his writing because he has such a distinct voice and provides vivid and unique descriptions of the places he visits and the food he eats.

I remember watching Bourdain’s show of the same name on Food Network back in 2001. At the time, there was no one else on TV like him. It’s funny to read in the book how much he actually hated making the show. A running feature in the book is titled, “Reasons Why You Don’t Want to be on Television.” Bourdain turned into a great TV personality, but he was always an outstanding writer.

Madeline Moy

What are you most excited about in the coming months? 

I’m looking forward to the International Food Blogger Conference. I’m interested in taking my food writing in a different direction and hope to learn a lot and be inspired by the people I meet at this event.

Speaking of food, there are plenty of things in Seattle that I want to eat and drink in the near future. Among other things, I’d like to order oysters from the Narwhal food truck, eat at Skillet Ballard, and have a float at the new Rachel’s Ginger Beer in Pike Place Market.

We recently bought a new house so I am super excited about making the space ours. And our son is starting kindergarten this fall. The last several months have been an incredible period of growth and change for me, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Thank you!

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Fit & Fresh: Outdoor Refresh with adidas at Mason Lake

In the summer, many of us do everything in our power to take our workouts out into Mother Nature. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have no shortage of options, from paddleboarding and diving to running and hiking the hundreds of trails lacing the various mountain ranges surrounding us. My boyfriend and I took to Tmber this past weekend and chose Mason Lake as our trail hike of choice. 

Mason Lake sits about 4200ft. high between Bandera Mountain and Mt. Defiance in the Snoqualmie National Forest. It's a small and secluded lake accessible only by the Mason Lake / Ira Spring Trail, a 3.4 mile hike up almost 5000 feet then over and down through the forest to the lake. We wanted to hike a trail that had access to water, wasn't too long, and not too far out of the city. Mason Lake isn't nearly as popular, but fairly comparable to, Rattlesnake Ledge or Mt. Si which are also just off interstate 90. Mason Lake is just a few exits past North Bend, about a 35min. drive out of Seattle.

As you can tell, it doesn't take a long drive to get out and truly immerse yourself in all the beauty the Pacific Northwest has to offer. We're so fortunate to get a great workout in against such amazing scenery! Enjoy our trail photo diary below:

What adventures lie ahead?

I'm wearing the adidas Women adipure Trainer 360 shoes, which I quickly found I really liked! I often get raw or bruised ankles and toes from trail running or hiking, and haven't experienced any of that with these shoes. There's a lot of cushioning for a light (mesh upper) shoe.

Look closely and you can see a peek of one of many waterfalls on this hike:

Happy to be here!

Breathtaking views the entire way

As we got higher up, the fog got denser and the temps a bit colder. It was chilly once we got over the mountain (out of the sun) and almost to the lake!

We made it!

Fog cleared just enough to capture the picturesque lake.

Getting some rest & appreciating the beauty we live in.

Wearing the adidas Women TechFit molded cup bra in Blast Purple and the adipure Trainer 360 in Red Zest.

adidas Women designs innovative performance products to help women commit to their best self and conquer their fitness goals. We inspire women to look and feel their best - be pretty, be tough & be confident.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by adidas via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of adidas.

Miss Wu Fall '13 Premieres at Nordstrom (Interview w/Jason Wu)

Jason Wu's got a new collection exclusively for Nordstrom, and he spent some time with me yesterday to talk Miss Wu and answer a few lifestyle questions as well. But before we get into the interview, a little about what you'll find in various Nordstrom stores and online now. The Miss Wu collection is wrought with beautiful fabrics, bold colors (lots of fuchsia, chartreuse and cobalt blue), exclusive prints (confetti dot, Baroque lace, Ginko leaf and Jason's signature stripe) and impeccable detailing. Ranging from $195 - $995, Miss Wu is a clear nod to the 1960s, with a whimsical nod to the 1970s. There's a black feather evening dress, shearling moto-inspired jacket and red wool military coat that I know will do well here in the Pacific Northwest! 

Jason-Wu-Miss-Wu-Nordstrom

How did you get into fashion design?

I was 9 when I lived in Canada, and I would read my mom's fashion magazines. There was always a lot of inspiration in them. It wasn't one 'Eureka!' moment; I just realized fashion could be a career and it always felt right.

You spent some time growing up in Vancouver. What are your favorite memories about the area?

Vancouver is beautiful. It's so serene. I live in New York City now, and it's so bustling. Vancouver is so peaceful and quiet in comparison. It was a great place to grow up. The food is very good; there's a lot of really good Chinese food as there's a large Chinese population there. I discovered fashion, art, design, and myself there. My mom would take me to antique shows, which we don't have in Taiwan. I got my first sewing machine and learned how to sew in Vancouver. My appreciation for beautiful things definitely grew there.

Jason-Wu-Miss-Wu-Nordstrom

Who inspires you?

My mother has always inspired me. The women I dress as well. Women in general, really! You can see in my work - it's all a celebration of the feminine form and femininity. It's the string that connects the aesthetic from collection to collection.

Tell me about Miss Wu.

The collection really came about organically; it's an extension of my design DNA. It's very reminiscent of my early work. While the Jason Wu collection is heading more femme fatale, Miss Wu is very feminine. Prints, srtipes, full skirt, feathers. I'm very inspired by the women of the '60s: Penelope Tree, Anna Karina. When Nordstrom approached me about an exclusive collection, it was the perfect opportunity to take affinity to that era and those beautiful things.

Jason-Wu-Miss-Wu-Nordstrom

What do you like to do to take a break?

I like to go to the spa; my favorite in New York is Mandarin Oriental. It's very peaceful, quiet and nice. I'm not hard to please! I love going to dinner with my friends. I do that 3-4 times a week. They're my friends I went to high school and college with. In many ways, I designed the Miss Wu collection with my friends. We all grew up together and somehow all ended up in New York. I guess you could say Miss Wu was designed for the girls around me.

Is that you behind your social media?

Yes! I don't do my Facebook page, but it's pretty clear that's run by my team. I send my own tweets and Instagrams. I just did my first Instagram video here today for Miss Wu (watch it here.) It's really fun. I was never good at keeping a diary or taking photos. I'm a very spontaneous person. It's nice to be able to share something in a few seconds. It's like a peek into my world; no filter, very organic. I think it's important to be authentic in that way.

Thank you!

Shop Miss Wu at Nordstrom here.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.